Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican presidential candidate in 2024, has surprised many — at least so far — with his candidacy. The 38-year-old multimillionaire entrepreneur continues to make national headlines and has made some curious statements.
Ramaswamy, for example, said that if he became president he would consider pardoning Biden’s family members. It’s a little puzzling.
On Thursday, Ramaswamy said that he would pardon Julian Assange on his first official day. Ramaswamy’s logic is also utterly bizarre.
On Jan. 20, 2025, I will pardon Julian Assange. It’s shameful that Obama commuted Chelsea Manning’s prison sentence, the fashionable transgender federal employee who “leaked” information to Assange. Meanwhile, Assange is still in an exile prison abroad. We will restore the *one* standard for the rule of law to America, regardless of race, sexuality, or political views.
Hold the bus, Vivek.
I will pardon Julian Assange on Jan 20, 2025. It is downright shameful that President Obama commuted the prison sentence of Chelsea Manning, the fashionably transgender government employee who *leaked* to Assange, while Assange himself still sits in a foreign prison in exile. We… https://t.co/speaxa5pQz
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) August 31, 2023
This is a faulty logic. Ramaswamy, do you really think that Obama’s disgraceful commuted sentence of Bradley Manning (Chelsea) is a valid reason to pardon Assange? Let’s revisit:
In 2019, the U.S. Government indicted Assange as an Australian citizen on 18 federal charges of espionage. Assange founded WikiLeaks and published hundreds of thousands of classified American files that he received from Manning. Government officials have long claimed that Assange’s and Manning’s actions placed lives in danger.
Assange is in prison in the U.K. on separate charges. British courts are deciding whether or not to extradite him back to the United States.
WikiLeaks’ founder, Julian Assange, has publicly attacked the “U.S. Empire” and is echoing left-wing radical Noamchomsky. Chomsky was one of Assange’s strongest supporters. He also hates America and Israel.
What was Ramaswamy thinking?
Ramaswamy’s pledge to pardon Assange was a huge benefit for his presidential campaign. Even though a tiny percentage of America-hating Americans may cheer the pledge, if it were up to them they would not vote for any Republican candidate. How could Ramaswamy have not known that his pledge would turn away a much larger number of potential supporters?
In fact, the August 31 cartoon by conservative political cartoonist Michael Ramirez, which is not about Ramaswamy assuring Assange, does make a relevant point.
https://t.co/SB7sAbnBXD pic.twitter.com/YSrFd6UGGA
— MikesRight (@RealLibSmacker) September 1, 2023
This wasn’t Ramaswamy’s first mistake.
Ramaswamy stated in June that he is open to the idea of cutting off all U.S. Aid to Israel. In mid-August he announced that he was going to wean Israel off U.S. assistance. He then told the Washington Free Beacon he would keep aid for Israel if the Middle East plan failed.
This is what Ramaswamy said to Russell Brand, the podcaster who started it all:
As it relates to Israel, I believe, and that’s why I asked the question: There is no North Star commitment towards any other country than the United States of America. What advances American interests then? In fact, I do believe that our relationship with Israel advances American interests. I agree with you. But here’s what I want to happen. I’m willing to make a deal – I am a dealmaker.
I want to start negotiating Abraham Accords 2.0. I want Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Indonesia to be included. I also want Israel to stand on its own. I am committed to standing by our previous commitments. I think we have pledged $38 billion for aid, military assistance, etc. through 2028. I want Israel to reach the point where it can be negotiated into the infrastructure in the Middle East.
I think you’re admirable but also naive.
Conclusion:
You can debate whether or not Israel will be able to live in peace with the Middle East. One can debate if U.S. assistance to Israel should be continued in perpetuity.
You can also discuss whether Julian Assange deserves to be pardoned. Here’s my main point: I can’t see why Ramaswamy would make such remarks.
Vivek Ramaswamy might be better off avoiding controversial topics that are unlikely to be well-received by his intended audience.
